Abstract:

This project was intended to demonstrate a natural, sustainable farming system in a subtropical environment. Two farming sites were installed on the island of Oahu, one involving students of Waialua High School and the other on a commercial farm. The high school project was carried out as a learning experiment and had wider-reaching community and family impact than was at first envisioned. Students learned techniques of sustainable farming, outreach to the community, marketing, and family nutrition. The project is expected to continue after SARE funding ceases. The commercial growers followed the natural farming system in a one-acre site successfully for over two years. They then decided against continuing the project because of time and financial constraints.

Project objectives:

1. To establish a natural farming method suitable for Hawaiian growers.
2. To determine efficacy of the system for plant nutrition and in pest and disease managment.
3. To determine cost effectiveness and profit potential.
4. To determine sustainability of natural farming in Hawaii.
5. To educate Hawaiian growers in natural farming methods.

Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.

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